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Western Force preview 2013

It is the dawn of a new era at the Western Force as they look to put last season's troubles behind them.

By Tony Curtis - Follow me on Twitter @SkysportsTC

Last Updated: 12/02/13 9:13am

Michael Foley has come in from the Waratahs and he inherits a side that recorded just three wins and scored only 30 tries all season. In fact only the Lions had a worse record and spared them the humiliation of finishing bottom.

The club were not helped by Richard Graham's departure mid-season, following his ill-timed announcement he would be teaming up with the Reds for 2013 campaign.

That has led to wholesale changes within the club, with David Pocock, Nathan Sharpe, Cameron Shepherd, David Harvey, James Stannard and Napolioni Nalaga among those who left at the end of the season.

However that has given Foley an almost blank canvas to work with - and there is a feeling in Perth that they could be the dark horses this year.

Alby Mathewson, Chris Alcock, Hugh McMeniman, Jayden Hayward and Sias Ebersohn are among the host of new faces at the club, while a favourable schedule gives them the ideal chance to get off to a flying start.